Synergistic Research Black Box -

Haven't used the Black Box. But I have a whole bunch of the other stuff in the review, which I totally agree with, including the part about these things being designed to work well together. Definitely not a case of decreasing marginal returns here!

I started with PHT and ECT. Worked so well I have two PHT on my Koetsu, another on the arm, two ECT on the arm base and another on the motor. Two ECT each in the motor controller and Herron phono stage. Three ECT on my tube amp. The room has 10 HFT plus 2 Wide Angle HFT and the full HFT speaker kit on each speaker. That's a lot but every single one of these makes a difference. Add them all together its put my system on a whole new level. In terms of alternatives, honestly think there is probably no amount of money you could spend on speakers/amps/cables that would get you to where these do.

So on that basis alone I would have to say the Black Box is worth it. But it would probably make more sense to do the others first. Or if you want to go all-in high end-electronics.com has a special right now https://highend-electronics.com/products/synergistic-research-black-box That would be a huge, huge big deal if you did that. They seem to be one of the bigger Synergistic retailers in the country, or at any rate have been really good with me, no hesitation whatsoever recommending them or the SR stuff.

Also I am down in Redmond. PM if you want to come down and hear some of this stuff for yourself.

@ millercarbon

Thanks a lot for your detailed input.

It could be fun or headache to try this kind of tweak.

I will PM you to audition the effect of SR products in your system.

Thomas

Reading the review it actually mirrors my experience with the BB.  What it reads like (and what I heard) is that the BB exaggerates and emphasizes the leading edge of bass notes. Now while this can be quite exciting in a way it is actually a coloration and nothing like real bass. I also found that I could hear the effect of the BB even when it was in the room next door.

The effect of the BB is an amped up version of the ART bass station which I have long used. I have four of these and over time dialed back to only using two, and in a position that minimizes their impact. It seems the BB is a tool that needs to be used carefully and sparingly if at all.

So while I have over $100k in SR components in my rig at present at least for me the BB is one I tried and returned. 

@ folkfreak

Thanks a lot again for your kind input.

I am still wondering how can small passive box could make much difference.

My listening space is open with high vault.

Thus this one may not work.

I am going to take more time before trying that one.